Gole dell'Alcantara

Discover the fascinating landscapes of Etna’s northern slope on a guided tour. Enjoy the impressive views of Etna’s foothills, see up close and touch ancient lava flows, admire craters still in activity, and appreciate a typical Sicilian landscape with its crops and rural villages. Stop for a lunch break at a local etnean restaurant and take a more relaxing turn with a visit to the refreshing Alcantara Gorges lava canyon. Start your tour with pickup from an arranged meeting point in locations such as Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Catania, and Linguaglossa. Travel by SUV or minivan (up to 8 passengers per vehicle) to the first stop of your tour, an off-road route to the massive 2002 eruption lava front, the largest eruption of recent times which destroyed the Piano Provenzana ski facilities and part of the Ragabo Pine Forest. Pass through the Ragabo Forest, following the Mareneve road, and reach the starting point of the trek to the Monti Sartorius craters near Rifugio Citelli. Enjoy a hike of easy difficulty, suitable for everyone, on a route about 3 km long, starting from an altitude of 1665 m and arriving at an altitude of about 1775 m. Hike along a characteristic Etnean path, among white birch trees and "button" side crater (“bottoniera”), the Sartorius Craters, on the northeastern slope of Etna. Reach several vantage points with unique and spectacular views of Calabria and the Aeolian Islands. Explore an Etna volcanic cave after your trek to the Sartorius, the Grotta dei Ladroni (also called Grotta delle Nevi). Equip yourself with the helmet and flashlight we will provide and venture inside this lava flow tunnel to discover its formation and history. Admire an original lava flow tunnel that has been partially excavated by man, as evidenced by the date engraved on a stone at the top of the entrance: 1776. Learn how Etna’s inhabitants used this cave in centuries past to store snow in the winter months, later reselling it in the warmer months. Stop at an Etnean restaurant to rest and enjoy a delicious meal: the first course dish, drink, and coffee are included in the price of the tour. Continue to the Alcantara Valley, passing through Castiglione di Sicilia, one of the “most beautiful villages in Italy”, with features similar to a medieval village, famous today for its wineries that produce excellent Etna wines. End your tour with a visit to the Alcantara Gorges, also known as the Larderia Gorges, located in the “Alcantara River Park”. Admire the Gorges, which are a fascinating natural lava canyon excavated by the Alcantara River through lava flows of ancient times. Descend inside the Alcantara Gorges via the municipal entrance with the entrance fee included in the price. Be free to relax by the beach or take a walk/swim in the refreshing Alcantara River. After finishing the visit of the Alcantara Gorges the tour will end by getting back to the initial meeting point.

Take part in the incredible adventure of body rafting along River Alcantara with diving wear and all the necessary equipment. Enjoy a physical activity in an idyllic setting whilst in the care of a local guide. Start your adventure at the Gole dell'Alcantara. Whilst here your guide will equip you with diving gear, helmet, and jacket - all the gear required for bodyrafting. Start walking into the clear waters of the river, located in the valley of Alcantara. Follow your expert guide along the track and explore rock faces that have volcanic origins. See the natural canyon of the Alcantara Gorges from the inside. Walk inside water passages, swim, and jump into the water. Enjoy a refreshing swim and start bodyrafting until you reach the valley once again. Make the most of an itinerary that stretches 2.5 km and acquaints you with hidden passages both in the water and on land.

Embark on an unforgettable journey of exhilarating volcanic adventure and tranquil moments on our tour. Explore the awe-inspiring grandeur of Europe's largest active volcano as you embark on an exciting trek to the craters of the Sartorius Mountains, marvelling at the rugged beauty of the volcanic landscape. Delve deeper into the mysteries of nature as you venture into the depths of Thieves Cave, uncovering its secrets and marvelling at its geological wonders. After a morning of exploration and adventure, indulge your senses with a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, savouring the flavours of traditional cuisine and recharging your batteries for the next leg of your journey. Then prepare to be captivated by the enchanting beauty of the Alcantara Gorges, where crystal-clear waters cascade through dramatic rock formations, creating a breathtaking backdrop of natural splendour. Immerse yourself in the serene atmosphere, soak up the tranquillity of this natural oasis and capture unforgettable moments amidst the unique scenery. Whether you are looking for an adrenaline rush or serene moments of relaxation, our tour offers the perfect blend of adventure and leisure, ensuring an unforgettable experience that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. Join us and discover the magic of Sicily's volcanic wonders in a journey that promises to enchant and inspire.

You'll be able to choose the tour that suits you best, for beginners or experts, without giving up the discovery of this beautiful area at the foot of Mount Etna. You will be accompanied by our open-top guide, who will allow you to explore in complete safety. You will start from the Alcantara Gorges and then head to Francavilla di Sicilia, a historic village of 3,000 inhabitants located in the heart of the Valley. During this route you will travel along both dirt paths and asphalt, always remaining enveloped by a picturesque and characteristic landscape. From time to time there will be a pause that will allow you to admire the landscape and the Alcantara River. If you choose the 2 1/2-hour route, always accompanied by our guide, you will be able to arrive as far as Castiglione di Sicilia.

Depart from Taormina and head to the Rifugio Sapienza on Mount Etna. Learn the history of the volcano and visit the sites of its last eruptions. Choose to trek along the nature paths of the Parco dell’Etna or take the cable car to an altitude of 2,504 meters and continue by 4WD minibus to the Torre del Filosofo. Get stunning views of the scenery stretching down to the sea and admire the craters and old lava flows that characterize the landscape. Explore a lava cave with all the proper equipment. Continue down the mountain and stop at a local producer for a delicious sampling of typical delicacies, such as honey and oil. Discover the different corners of the Alcantara River. Walk down small paths, past cultivated fields, and see the natural pools and waterfalls and continue to get up close to different basalt and unexpected lava formations.

Thanks to River Trekking and Body Rafting, you will enjoy a unique experience, fun, intense and all in the utmost safety thanks to our river guide. You'll begin your adventure with river trekking, you'll follow a stretch of river that funnels into a basalt gorge about 30 meters high, the result of millennia of erosion that led precisely to the formation of these characteristic routes of a canyon. You will continue the tour between small waterfalls, rapids and rock walls, but fear not, nothing difficult, you will only need to have a lot of spirit of adventure. You will reach the highlight of the route once you arrive at the"Cascata di Venere," one of the most renowned destinations in the Alcantara Gorges, where legend has it that the Roman goddess Venus spent her days. Once you've completed the river's ascent, you'll return to the valley on an adrenaline-fueled body rafting adventure.

Reach the summit area of Etna, ascending 2750 meters by either cableway or off-road vehicle on this tour from Taormina. Hike the base of the active craters with a naturalistic guide, experience the lunar landscapes, and savor a typical Sicilian lunch with local wine and drinks. Begin your tour with a pickup from your accommodation (or close vicinity in Taormina and the surrounding area). You'll travel in a small group of no more than 8 people for a more intimate and personalized experience. Drive to Mount Etna where you'll start the ascent to the summit area (2750-2800 meters of altitude). Depending on the availability and the circumstances, in order to guarantee an optimal service, the ascent can be carried out either by cableway or off-road vehicles only. Once at the summit area, enjoy light trekking with a volcanological guide and a naturalistic guide. Walk through a desert of black ashes and extinct craters, while admiring the lunar landscape and the spectacular view of the active craters from a close distance. Back at 2000 meters, you'll be given the proper equipment, such as helmets and torches, to visit one of the striking lava caves of the volcano. Then, enjoy a typical Sicilian light lunch with local wine and drinks during the midday break. Finally, you'll admire the Alcantara Gorges created when thick lava flows invaded the bed of the icy river Alcantara, giving rise to geometrically perfect rocks.

If what you are looking for is adrenaline and fun, this tour is just right for you, and you will be able to immerse yourself - figuratively and literally - in the Alcantara Valley. You'll be provided with waterproof dungarees so you can dive into the river during the trek, and you'll be accompanied by a river guide the entire way. You willstart your adventure downstream and reach the entrance to the gorges by walking a route that is about 2 km long and lasts about 2 hours. You will walk along the riverbed and pass, small waterfalls, eddies, slippery rocks and small rapids, all surrounded by beautiful, breathtaking scenery that will make this hike unforgettable.

Benefit from pick-up at your accommodation in Catania and journey by bus to Rifugio Sapienza on the slopes of Mount Etna. Visit the sites of recent volcanic eruptions and the old Silvestri craters. Choose from different options at Rifugio Sapienza and trek the nature paths of the park or ride the cable car to 2,504 meters above sea level. Continue by 4WD minibus to Torre del Filosofo for an additional fee. Get up close to the central and southeast craters and marvel at how the landscape has been shaped by lava flows. Visit locations where the volcano flourishes before you return to Rifugio Sapienza to look inside a lava cave using helmets and torches. Sample the local produce at an organic farm in Zafferana, and get stunning views of the Alcantara River. Walk the small paths past cultivated fields to see the natural pools of Gurne dell'Alcantara and the ruins of Francavilla Castle. Admire the basalt columns and lava formations of the gorge.

Set off on a fascinating journey to discover Mount Etna and the Alcantara Gorges in a single day. Begin with a pickup at our meeting point and head to Etna, where you’ll explore a lava cave, walk along ancient craters offering panoramic views, and visit the site of the significant 2002 eruption. Take a break for lunch, either enjoying your own picnic or grabbing a snack from nearby cafés. Afterward, travel to the picturesque Alcantara Valley, just 45 minutes away. Learn about its unique geology and history before having an hour of free time to explore the gorges, accessible by stairs or an optional elevator. A day of natural wonders and serene landscapes awaits. Detail of the program: Starting point at 9:00 AM from the meeting point in Trecastagni (Catania on demand) Travel time to the first stop: 45–60 minutes First stop: visit a lava tube cave Second stop (main stop): hike along the Monti Sartorius trail. Easy Level Third stop: explore the sites of the 2002 eruption and stop for lunch break Transfer to the Alcantara Valley (45 minutes) Free time to explore the gorges on your own Who is this tour suitable for? For families with children or groups of friends who want to explore the volcano and the Alcantara gorges with a guide